Rangers met Josh Hamilton's agent

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said he met with Josh Hamilton's agent, Mike Moye, but that nothing has changed in terms of negotiating a deal with the former American League MVP.

"We got a chance to catch up a little bit," Daniels said Wednesday. "They're still going through their process."

Hamilton was not present at the meeting, which occurred Tuesday night, as he already had headed home with his wife, Katie.

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Daniels would not comment on whether the two sides exchanged any offers.

"We're maintaining communication," Daniels said. "We're in the same place, so it made sense to get together."

Hamilton came to Nashville on Sunday, presumably to talk to some prospective teams. The Rangers and Hamilton's camp agreed earlier this offseason that the slugger would explore the open market before attempting to negotiate a deal.

"They don't have an obligation to us for that, but that is my general thought is that the lines of communication are open and that we'd continue to talk," Daniels said. "Whatever process that they've laid out for free agency, I don't get the sense that they're through with that at this point."

The Rangers aren't simply waiting for Hamilton; they are busy on other fronts, including free-agent pitcher Zack Greinke and various trade possibilities.

"This is not the NFL," Daniels said. "With unrestricted free agency, there's no offer sheet. There's nothing like that. We have a good relationship. We've agreed that it's a good fit, but it's got to be somewhat responsive to the market. That's what they're determining."

Hamilton, 31, has batted .304 in his big-league career, all but 90 games of it in Texas. He won the AL MVP in 2010 and has provided big power in the middle of the Rangers' lineup, helping the team to World Series appearances in 2010 and '11.

Hamilton hit .285 with 43 homers and 128 RBIs in an inconsistent 2012 season that didn't finish well; a vision problem caused him to miss five games, he struggled offensively and he had an error in the AL West-deciding loss to Oakland.